We are considering going in Italy at the end of june this year. Montreal to Rome and from there go in Tuscany. I would like to stay in a house near San Gimignano, but it could be a center area, or near the sea.
Are rental reasonable?
We would stay from one to two weeks and visit the area with a rented car.
Not to expensive if possible.

One of the best places to stay and best values near San Gimignano is Il Borgetto. It is a big mansion that has been painfully restored by the owners and converted into about 14 different apartments that are very beautiful. They range from small 1 bedrooms to very large 2-bedroom units with fantastic views of the surrounding hills and vinyards (prices range from about $900-1500 per week depending on the apartment and time of year). It also features a very nice swimming pool and several patios that are great for relaxing with a bottle of wine. We stayed last summer and are going back again this June.

One of the best things about Il Borghetto is that is just a few KM from San Gimignano (about 15 minutes by car) off of a dirt back road. This makes it feel as though you are far off of the tourist beaten path. They fill up quickly, so you should check availability for June soon. Not sure what your budget is, but this is much more reasonable than renting a totally separate house.

Here's the link... there is also someone in Canada who books for them, but with a small booking fee (although she takes care of the details and paperwork). Here's the direct link and let me know if you want the Canadian broker. I think the units above the ground floor are better for views, although it is built into a hill, so there are some nice ground floor units as well.

http://www.ilborghettotuscanholidays...glish/home.htm

Start at slowtrav.com for great reviews and tips on renting. Then, go to tuscany.net and look at dozens of choices.

Hi Mediterrano,
I, too, an looking for a 1 week rental near San Gimignano and read with interest your review of Il Borgetto. It looks WONDERFUL and I am ready to make my reservation. Which unit did you have? There are just two of us, so the 1 bedroom is really all we need and they have three different ones. I'm having trouble choosing.
Can you walk into town, or is it too far? We will have a car, but guess parking can be an issue. What are your thoughts? Anything you can share with me will be greatly appreciated. Joyce

Joyce,
Last time I stayed in a 2 bedroom unit (i cannot recall the number right now and I am traveling out of the country right now). It was on the upper floor and was wonderful with lots of great light and a sitting room. My understanding is that the 1 bedroom units tend to have small windows and fewer views, but you have access to the common patios with great vistas. This time we are staying in #3 which is small and inexpensive, probably without good views. If price is not a big issue, I would recommend one of the 2 bedrooms. Otherwise, I would avoid #5 (I think) which was formerly a stable and is a bit dark and musty. But overall the place is great! It is a bit of a long walk to town, but could be done if you like to hike (it is beautiful). Otherwise a car is no problem at all. There is parking at Il Borghetto and there are pay parking lots at San Gimignano. Enjoy!

Joyce,
I was able to look up some details. Last time we stayed in #10 - a more expensive 2-bedroom but it was great with amazing views, two floors and a nice eating area. As I said before, I would avoid #5. I haven't seen many of the others except passing by, but most seem very nice. Some of the ground floor ones have their own patios, but then you might get more bugs than those on the first floor or above.

Again parking is no problem there. The entrance is through an electronic gate off of the dirt road and after you drive down towards the villa there is a parking area on the left. The swimming pool is small but nice, with good chairs and views. We never walked to San Gimignano from the villa (it was just too hot to go all the way) but it could be done with a day pack, water and enough time. There were small groups of people hiking and biking on the road. The road is very scenic, past vinyards, flowers and with many views of the towers of San Gimignano along the way. By car, it's only about 15 minutes.

Of course, Voltera, Col Val D'Elsa and Chianti are all within easy reach with your car as well. The villa is about a 15 minute drive from Pogibonsi which is a more industrial, unattractive city, but it has a large supermarket where you can stock up your fridge. And there are plenty of great restaurants in San Gimignano and the other towns.

Have fun!

Dear Mediterraneo,
Thank you very much for your answers to my questions. We will definately stay at Il Borghetto for one week - just deciding which unit to pick. Seems to be fairly open at this time - we're going the last week of September.
Sandra is wonderful! Is she at the property, or is she the lady in Canada?
She gave us the choices of three different one bedroom units, but gave them names and not numbers: Mangiatoia, Campania, and Di Sotto. I Emailed her asking for 2 bedroom choices like your had and about the #`10 and # 5. I believe all of the one bedrooms were on the ground floor - one with a terrace.... one in the main villa.
Thanks for the tip about getting groceries in Poggibonsi. We will do that.
Did you have a chance to eat 'grandma's cooking?
Thank you so much for helping me find this beautiful property - I'm really excited and looking forward to our stay!
Joyce

Dear Mediterraneo,
I just heard back from Il Borghetto and she thought the room numbers I gave her were the numbers to the room photos in the web.......do you know the name of the room you thought was #5? You mention you are getting the small, less expensive unit - which one did you choose? She has given me the choices of Di Sotto, Campanina, and Mangiatoia. I'm having a hard time choosing. Thanks again for your recommendation.
Joyce

Joyce,
I found another website which has pictures of the rooms by name. I wasn't aware of the names because I booked through the broker in Canada who lists them by number. But, on this website you can see pictures of all of the apartments by name and I was able to figure out which names the numbers correspond to.

The one-bedroom that I would avoid is Mangiatoia (what I had called #5). It's probably the one they said had a patio. It's very spacious, but we stayed there for one night and switched apartments because we found it to be dark and with a musty smell. The fabulous 2-bedroom that we moved to was La Piccionaia, but it looks like several of the 2 bedrooms are nice from the photos. This year we are staying in Campania which I believe is on the first floor (our 2nd floor) as opposed to the ground floor. It looks small, but cozy and with bright colors. But I can't really advise between Campania or Di Sotto as I haven't seen them first-hand.

The website with the pictures by name is
http://www.tuscanholidayhomes.com/borghetto.htm

At the bottom you will see the link to the photo gallery. I believe Sandra is the woman at the property (the Canadian broker is Virginia). Grandma wasn't cooking when we were there so hopefully we will get to try her meals this year. September should be a nice time there with fewer tourists.

Best

Hi Mediterraneo,
You are wonderful! Thank you so very much for finding that great website with ALL the pictures and apartment names! What fun to put pictures to the names.
I think we, also, are going to stay at Campanina. It looks really nice. Also, Sandra told me that the bathroom from Campanina is the blue one from the original website - great looking.... tub only and not shower, I understand. (I'm asking about La Scuola also. She didn't offer it to me, so it's probably already rented.) I'd be really happy if you let me know how you like Campanina when you get back. My Email address is: [email protected]
Sharon is really wonderful to work with - she answers her email every day and is very nice.
Again, I'm so happy you suggested Il Borghetto. It looks great!
Joyce

Joyce,
As you might know, tubs in Europe typically have a snake-like shower head that you hold in your hand or even hook to the wall above you, so you can still "shower". It's fairly common and is probably the case here. Last time we had a full shower though. I'll try to let you know how it is after we go.

Hi Mediterraneo,
Yes, you're correct. Sandra said that it did have a shower (of sorts). She calls the apartment "cosy" with a "nice view". I'm sure it'll be wonderful.
Thank you for EMailing me with your opinions when you get back. Have a wonderful time!.